Kharkiv Ministry – February 2026

Dear friends and partners in the gospel,

As we approach February 24, 2026, we mark 4 years since the full-scale war began in Ukraine. It is a painful milestone, but also a moment to remember how the Lord has sustained His people, provided through His church, and continued to build His kingdom even in suffering.

Thanksgiving

First of all, we want to give thanks to the Lord. 4 years into this war, we can honestly say: we did not expect to be still alive. There were many moments when death felt close, more than 10 times, and we were in immediate danger. At least 3 times missiles or drones exploded within 1,500 feet of us, and more than 25 times explosions were within 1,500-3,000 feet.

And yet the Lord preserved us. He has sheltered our family, sustained our church, and kept us standing when we had no strength of our own. We do not take any of this for granted. Our lives and ministry are here today only because of God’s mercy and faithful protection. We thank God that, by His mercy, we are still here, still serving, and still able to gather as a church. As Jeremiah wrote: “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” (Lamentations 3:21–22)

Second, thank you. Your prayers, generosity, and steady friendship have been a real means of God’s care for us in Kharkiv. We thank the Lord for you! Your love has not been distant or abstract, but practical, sacrificial, and consistent.

What is the situation like now

Life in Kharkiv remains fragile. The danger is real, and the pressure is constant, especially as the war continues to target critical infrastructure. Power outages, damaged systems, and uncertainty about basic stability shape everyday decisions. Many people are exhausted: emotionally, financially, and spiritually. Families have been displaced, homes destroyed, and loved ones lost. Yet even in this, we continue to see courage, perseverance, and a deep hunger for hope that cannot be shaken.

Testimony of God’s leading and care

When we look back over these 4 years, we can say with conviction: the Lord is not absent in this war. He has been at work even through what is evil and painful to bring glory to His name and to do real good for His church.

Mercy ministry

Thanks to your support, over 300,000 people received help. Through ongoing acts of mercy, support for families, emergency help, food, and essential supplies, and practical care in difficult seasons, we have had countless opportunities to speak about God with people who are hurting. We have seen that suffering often opens doors for the gospel: people ask deeper questions, reconsider life priorities, and seek spiritual counsel. We give thanks to God for encouraging signs of His grace: conversations that moved from practical needs to repentance and faith, and people coming to worship after receiving help. Around twenty people in our church might never have known Christ apart from the circumstances of the war. We do not romanticize hardship, but we do confess that God is present and active, and that His mercy is not limited by war.

Publishing ministry

In the middle of a crisis, the hunger for solid, biblically faithful resources has grown. Through our publishing Reformed Press, we have continued translating, publishing, and distributing theological literature that strengthens churches. The war has not reduced the need for doctrine; it has made people more aware of how much they need a firm foundation. We see this publishing work as a long-term investment in the health of the church in Ukraine: strengthening leaders, equipping believers, and supporting faithful ministry for years to come. By God’s grace, we have published 6 books during the war, and we currently have 12 more in the process of printing.

John Knox theological school

We have also continued to develop and maintain solid reformed training through the John Knox Theological School. In a time when many structures have been disrupted, it has been especially important to keep preparing servants for the church. This ministry is not limited to our local context. Out of about 110 students, only 28 are from Ukraine. The others come from more than 15 countries, including Russia and Belarus. We are reminded that Christ’s gospel is for every nation and language, and that even during war, the Lord continues to gather and train His people. We thank God that learning has continued and ministry partnerships have helped keep this work moving forward.

Goals for the next year of war

Looking ahead, we are trying to plan wisely with faith and realism. Here are several focus areas for the coming year:

• Mercy ministry focus: We want to serve more intentionally those who are especially vulnerable - widows, orphans, and families with small children. The needs are growing, and many of these households are carrying heavy burdens with very limited support.

• Need for a larger worship space: The Lord has been gathering people, and we are increasingly limited by space. We are praying and looking for a larger facility for worship and ministry, so that we can better serve the growing number of attendees.

• Preparing for next winter: Recent winters have shown how quickly conditions can deteriorate. We want to prepare early especially in areas of energy resilience, heating stability, and emergency readiness so that ministry does not stop during the hardest periods.